Self-defense

Self-defense is the protection of oneself or others from harm. The Bible includes laws on defending a household, accounts of defense against attackers, and Jesus's teaching on non-retaliation.

Defense of the household

• Exodus 22:2-3
  ²If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed. ³If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.But if it happens after sunrise, there is guilt for his bloodshed. A thief must make full restitution; if he has nothing, he himself shall be sold for his theft.
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• Luke 11:21
  When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are secure.
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Defending one's people

• Nehemiah 4:13-14
  ¹³Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.So I stationed men behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vulnerable areas. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears, and bows. ¹⁴And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.After I had made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
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• Nehemiah 4:17-18
  ¹⁷They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. ¹⁸For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side. But the trumpeter stayed beside me.
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• Esther 8:11
  Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,By these letters the king permitted the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province hostile to them, including women and children, and to plunder their possessions.
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• Genesis 14:14-16
  ¹⁴And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household, and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan. ¹⁵And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.During the night, Abram divided his forces and routed Chedorlaomer’s army, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. ¹⁶And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.He retrieved all the goods, as well as his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the rest of the people.
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Rescuing the weak

• Psalm 82:3-4
  ³Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. ⁴Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.
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• Proverbs 24:11
  If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter.
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• Proverbs 31:8-9
  ⁸Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. ⁹Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
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Jesus and the sword

• Luke 22:36-38
  ³⁶Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.“Now, however,” He told them, “the one with a purse should take it, and likewise a bag; and the one without a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. ³⁷For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about Me is reaching its fulfillment.” ³⁸And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.So they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” “That is enough,” He answered.
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• Matthew 26:51-52
  ⁵¹And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.At this, one of Jesus’ companions drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. ⁵²Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
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• John 18:10-11
  ¹⁰Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. ¹¹Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?“Put your sword back in its sheath!” Jesus said to Peter. “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?”
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• John 18:36
  Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.”
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Turn the other cheek

• Matthew 5:38-39
  ³⁸Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ ³⁹But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;
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• Romans 12:17-19
  ¹⁷Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. ¹⁸If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
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God the defender

• Psalm 18:2
  The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
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• Psalm 59:1
  Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me.
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• Psalm 144:1
  Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
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See also

• Violence
• War
• Murder
• Revenge
• Justice

Notes

1. Verses are quoted in the translation chosen in the Translation menu at the top of the page. See Translations for sources and copyright notices.
2. Each reference links to the full chapter so the verse can be read in context.